The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-04-16
FAITHFUL BARNABY,
a STORY on EARLY DAYS IN ILLINOIS,


Many years ago, when such things
as railroads were an unknown factor
in commerce, and the transportation
of travellers TO and fro across the state
OF Illinois was the work Of vehicles,
Barnaby Munson was one Of the
drivers on that line OF stage route
running from Vincennes, Ind, 10 the
then thriving town of 81. Louis. To
make the trip was the work of about
six days, mission fraught with more
or less danger, for the country through
which the stage-line ran when first es-
tablished was wild and untrammeled,
and the great timber belts and broad
prairies were marked by scarce hui
man habitation, save ut intervals of
about forty miles, when stations had
been fixed for the necessary change OF
horses, or when some adventurous
pioneer, firing OF the society of his fell
bowman, had wandered out into a life
OF freedom from restraint, such as is
only found In new and unsettled
country.
Much OF the trip must be made af-
Ter nightfall. IN the warmer months.
owing 60 the enormous swarms of
mosquitoes and swamp-tlies, which
would. during the day, attack man and
beast ilercely, and whose stipgs were
so painful as TO make il absolutely inn
possible 10 force the horses 20 their
work. This night driving was the
more dangerous, from the fact that
st. Louis was then infested with a
gang of desperadoes whose lawlessness
knew no limit. and whose boast il was
that they were the terror of the entire
community.
Several times had the stage been
held up and robbed Of the mail bags,
and loud we're the complaints Of the
traveller who had been compelled 20
submit TO the demands OF the robbers.
Time and again had guards been sent
with the coach, but all To no avail.
The road agents seemed 70 be aware of
any movement on the part OF the com
pany TO effect their capture, and always
avoided making any attack when the
guard had been dispatched with the
stage, This guard was source Of
heavy expense to the company. and at
intervals their services were dispensed
with, and, as consequence, the mail,
and whatever passengers might be
aboard, were invariably assessed toll"
by the highwaymen.
AT the time when Barnaby Munson
was given place on the route rob.
berries had been more than usually nu-
merous, and each driver was required 10
go heavily armed. and none but men
believed TO be possessed of nerve
were engaged at any price, and, in
fact, but few man sought SO dangerous
and trying employment.
Dn the 18th of August Barnaby
Munson drove out Of Vincennes with
the large mail bags and nine passen-
gers, an unusually heavy load, for, as
a rule, there were few who wished 10
chance six days stage trip when In
the saddle could be made much better
time. Seven Of the passengers whom
Earnaby carried were men, the other
two were ladies -~mere girls--the eld-
est not more than 10 years OF age.
They were the daughters of George
Lesson, a well-known Spectator then
In ST. Louis, and were on their way 20
their father from the home of maiden
aunt, with whom they had-been resid-
ing.
Among the men was one TO whom,
on first sight, Barhaby took an i'm.
mediate dislike. and feeling of dis,
trust took possession OF him. And
corlAinly Il was not without cahse. foI